This week is National Pollution Prevention Week -- who knew? The EPA posted some no-brainer tips on its website for reducing pollution by conserving energy and using less goods, which can also save money.

According to the EPA "each individual generates about 1.5 tons of solid waste per year – about 4.5 pounds per person, per day." Wow, that's a hefty footprint to be leaving to landfills. I'm always amazed out how many times I have to take out the trash each week.

Recycling is important, but we should be putting pressure on companies to reduce the amount of non-recyclable plastics in their products, such as what is being done by supermarket Sainsbury's has done.

Reducing the amount of plastics not only means less for the landfill, but also less consumption of the petroleum from which it is derived as well as the fuel that is burned in its manufacture.